Podcast appearances and mentions of bryan wolfmueller

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Rome ExaminedThe post Responding to Roman Catholic Teaching, Part 5: The Virgin Mary and Faith – Bryan Wolfmueller, 6/1/26 (1521) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller returns to Lead Time for a conversation that begins with the Prodigal Son… and ends up exposing something much closer to home.Most Christians know the story of the younger son who runs away, wastes everything, and comes home in shame. But what if Jesus' sharpest warning is actually aimed at the older brother — the faithful, obedient, religious one who cannot rejoice when mercy is given to someone else?Check out Bryan's New Book Here:https://www.amazon.com/Finally-Free-Bryan-Wolfmueller/dp/0758681569In this episode, Tim Ahlman, Jack Kalleberg, and Bryan Wolfmueller dig into pride, despair, passive faith, Lutheran worship, church systems, contemporary vs. liturgical tensions, and what the LCMS can learn from the Father's joy.This is a conversation for every Lutheran who cares about doctrine, mission, worship, and the future of the church — especially if you've ever wondered whether we are better at defending the feast than actually rejoicing in it.Support the show⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Care about the future of the LCMS?Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Rome ExaminedThe post Responding to Roman Catholic Teaching, Part 4: Justification – Bryan Wolfmueller, 5/11/26 (1312) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Rome ExaminedThe post Responding to Roman Catholic Teaching, Part 3: Good Works and Free Will – Bryan Wolfmueller, 4/27/26 (1172) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Rome ExaminedThe post Responding to Roman Catholic Teaching, Part 2: Tradition and Original Sin – Bryan Wolfmueller, 4/9/26 (0992) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Rome ExaminedThe post Responding to Roman Catholic Teaching, Part 1: Scripture – Bryan Wolfmueller, 3/26/26 (0851) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

March 14, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 4 - Psalm 122:1-2, 6, 8; antiphon: Isaiah 66:10a, 11aDaily Lectionary: Genesis 41:1-27; Mark 11:1-19“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'” (Psalm 122:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Guess what you get to do tomorrow? You get to go to church! When I was younger, I'd ask my dad, “Do we have to go to church?” He'd always answer the same way: “No, but you get to go to church.” Do we have to go? Well, I suppose you don't. But why wouldn't you want to? You get to go to God's House and receive His Gifts. You get to go and confess your sins and have a pastor stand “in the stead and by the command” of Jesus Christ to absolve you! You get to join other believers as you sing the Kyrie, confess the Creed, and pray the Lord's Prayer. You get to sit, rest, and listen to your pastor preach a sermon that he wrote specifically for you and your congregation. You get to receive the very body and blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! You get to have the Lord's name placed upon you in the Benediction as you are sent back out into the world!Where else would you rather be? Sleeping in bed? Fishing? Playing soccer? Those are all nice, but they won't give you what you receive at church. You can do those things at other times. The joy you get from those things is only temporary. The joy and peace that you get at church? That's eternal. It's something that the world cannot give.Not only do you receive the Gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation, but at church, you get the gift of family and friends of all ages. Look around and see the people that Jesus has brought into your church. Some are old, some are young. Some have been members of your church their whole life, and others have just moved into town. Whoever they are, God has brought them to you and you to them. Take the time to get to know them and treasure the moments you have together. So, the next time someone tells you it's “time to go to church,” join with King David and countless others who have prayed the words of Psalm 122: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'” You don't have to; you get to.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.This day, God's people meeting, His Holy Scripture hear; His living presence greeting, Through bread and wine made near. We journey on, believing, Renewed with heav'nly might, From grace more grace receiving, On this blest day of light. (LSB 906:3)Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 13, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 10:32-52Daily Lectionary: Genesis 40:1-23; Mark 10:32-52“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.' And he said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?' And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.'” (Mark 10:35-38)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Be careful what you pray for. The Bible is full of examples of God giving people what they keep asking for, even when He has told them not to ask. The people in the wilderness grumble against God, and they don't want to enter the Promised Land because they are fearful of the people who are there. They say, “It would be better for us to die in the wilderness!” And God granted their prayer. They would wander for 40 years, and when their generation had passed away, it would be their children who would enter the Promised Land.God's people wanted and begged for a king. God told them He was their King. He told them that if they had a king, the king would tax them, take their goods, and send their children off to war. They kept begging. God eventually gave them what they asked for, and the kings taxed them, took their goods, and sent their children off to war.James and John go up to Jesus and say, “Lord, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” That's bold! What's bolder is what they ask, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” They didn't know what they were asking for. Jesus' glory is when He is lifted up on the cross! Do they really want to be there? In His mercy, Jesus did not grant them that prayer.But, do you know what was there with Jesus in His glory? All of the sins of James, John, the people of Israel, and even you. If you are going to pray, pray for what the Lord has promised to give you. We don't know what we should pray for. That shouldn't stop us from praying, but it should change the way we pray. Instead of making demands, pray “Thy will be done,” and remember “God's will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God's name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.” (3rd Petition, Lord's Prayer)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Your gracious will on earth be done As it is done before Your throne, That patiently we may obey Throughout our lives all that You say. Curb flesh and blood and ev'ry ill That sets itself against Your will. (LSB 766:4)Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 12, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: Ninth CommandmentDaily Lectionary: Genesis 39:1-23; Mark 10:13-31“You shall not covet your neighbor's house. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.” (Small Catechism: Ninth Commandment and Meaning)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Coveting is dangerous. Jesus warns us against it when He says, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15). He tells this to the crowd around Him when two brothers are arguing over an inheritance. These brothers were on the verge of ruining their relationship over possessions. Sadly, this happens in families all too often. Why does Jesus warn us against this? Because when we covet, we set up a false idol that we think will make us whole and give us what we need. St. Paul makes this clear when he writes, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) When we want what God has not given to us we show that we do not “fear, love, and trust in God above all things” and that we have broken the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.”How do you know you are coveting? One way to diagnose coveting in your life is to consider whether you are happy when your neighbor is sad or sad when your neighbor is happy. There's a word for being sad about others' happiness. It's one you probably know well: envy. There's also a word for being happy about someone else's sadness. It's a German word that literally means “damage-joy”: schadenfreude. Sadly, we have these feelings way too often. It's okay to be disappointed that you didn't ace the test; it's evil when you delight in the fact that someone else fails. It's okay to be happy that you made the team; it's evil when you are sad that someone else made it. Envy and schadenfreude invade our lives.Why is this bad? Because when we covet, we are telling God that we don't have enough. When we covet, we are telling God that He hasn't given us what we need. Coveting destroys our thankfulness and our contentment. What's the remedy? St. Paul tells us to look at the cross: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). God has given you exactly what you need; the proof is there at the cross.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“You shall not crave your neighbor's house Nor covet money, goods, or spouse. Pray God He would your neighbor bless As you yourself wish success.” Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:10)Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 11, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 10:1-12Daily Lectionary: Genesis 37:1-36; Mark 10:1-12“‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:7-9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What is your favorite thing to see at a wedding? Is it seeing the Bride in her dress? Seeing friends and family coming together to support a bride and groom? Is it the dancing or the meal after the ceremony? Is it looking at the decorations or everyone all dressed up nice?Those are all nice, but they aren't my favorite. What I like to see at the wedding is the groom's face when the bride first comes into view. Gone from the face are the forced smiles of greeting, the nervous stress, and everything else. Instead? It's simple, pure joy. Everyone else thinks the bride is beautiful, but the groom sees her differently than everyone else. Yes, he thinks she is beautiful, but his gaze is not just one of admiration; it's one of pure love and happiness. He sees no imperfection. He sees his bride. He sees the one that God is uniting him with “in heart, mind, and body.”Why is that my favorite? Because it reminds me of the way that Jesus views us; it's the way He sees His Bride, the Church. He sees us as perfect, beautiful, and holy. There is a difference between a regular groom and Jesus, though. In a regular wedding, it is the Bride who prepares herself for the big day. She gets her hair done, does her makeup, and gets dressed to walk down the aisle as perfectly as possible. But in our marriage to Jesus? He's the one who makes us perfect.Yes, we are full of imperfections. We have sins, and shame, and grief that weigh us down. But Jesus sees us with the eyes of a Bridegroom. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)The next time you are at a wedding, while you watch the bride walk down the aisle, make sure to steal a glance at the groom and see his joy. Let it remind you of the way Jesus sees you with perfect love and joy in His face.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Father, You created Adam, Crafted Eve, and made them one; Jesus, from their sin You saved us, As God's true incarnate Son; Holy Spirit, You forgive us; From our sins we are released. Bring us, Lord, at last to heaven, To the endless wedding feast. (LSB 860:5)Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 10, 2026Today's Reading: Ephesians 5:1-9Daily Lectionary: Genesis 35:1-29; Mark 9:33-50“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.You don't even need to look at the scientific research (although there is much!) to know that most of a child's learning comes through imitation. Infants mimic the face movements of their parents. Little sisters and brothers learn to walk by trying to move like their older siblings and to keep up with them. We sound like our parents and the people we grew up around. The accents and inflections in our speech change when we move to a different part of the country or the world.St. Paul tells us that as children of God, we should be imitators of Jesus. We should “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” What is the best way to learn how to do that? Watch Jesus! Listen to Jesus! What do we see? We see someone who is kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving!To understand Ephesians 5:1, we need to consider what comes immediately before (the word 'therefore' is a hint for us to do just that!). “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Keep Jesus' life, words, and teachings always in mind. Pay attention as we walk through the Church Year, seeing Jesus honor His parents as He grows, love His enemies as they ridicule Him, find time for the weak and helpless as He cares for them, and give Himself up to death for the whole world.The people we listen to and watch have an impact on us. The company we keep will influence us. So, be careful about who you watch and who you listen to. Listen first to God in His Word; listen to your pastors as they preach Christ crucified for you; surround yourself with godly men and women to imitate in their lives; lean on good friends who will speak truth to you.If you want to be more kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, watch and listen to those who have these qualities. What will you find yourself doing if these are the things you listen to and watch? You'll find yourself imitating them in your own life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord, Present in Thy holy Word-Grace to imitate Thee now And be pure, as pure art Thou; That we might become like Thee At Thy great epiphany And may praise Thee, ever blest, God in man made manifest. (LSB 394:5)Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 9, 2026Today's Reading: Exodus 8:16-24 or Jeremiah 26:1-15Daily Lectionary: Genesis 29:1-30; Genesis 29:31-34:31; Mark 9:14-32“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.'” (Exodus 8:20-23)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The plagues were impressive in and of themselves. Destruction in various forms came upon the land of the Egyptians, and Moses let them know it would all happen before it did. That should have been enough. However, on top of that, God spared His Children from destruction. God “set apart” a specific area and said it would be safe, and it was. What did God have to do to protect them? Was it some great wall that He would have the people build? Was there a special prayer they needed to pray? No. God simply spoke His Word, and it was so. No flies would enter the land of Goshen. God was in command. He had all authority in heaven and on earth, so the flies did what He wanted. God uses His authority to “set apart” His people and to protect them.Long after this, Jesus took His disciples up to a mountain and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) And then, long after that, a Pastor took you in his arms and did just what Jesus said to do. You were baptized, set apart, through water and the Word of Jesus. The Lord who commands all things with His Word spoke His Word upon you and made you His child, setting you apart. His Word now, just as then, makes it so.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity! (LSB 594:1)Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 8, 2026Today's Reading: Luke 11:14-28Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22; Mark 9:1-13“As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!' But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'” (Luke 11:27-28)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What does it mean to “keep” God's Word? Indeed, there is some element of observing or obeying it. God knows what is actually good and bad for us, so when we follow God's Word, things go better for us. Things usually go better when we obey our parents than when we disobey them. If you can keep from stealing, you won't have as many troubles with the law. If you lead a chaste and decent life, your marriage will likely be smoother. If you can go without coveting, you'll be happier. Being content and happy with what God has given us is a blessing!But that's not all that it means to “keep” God's Word. Keeping it also involves guarding it and treasuring it. We guard and treasure things that are important to us. You don't want to lose your house keys or your wallet, so you keep them in a spot where you won't forget them as easily. You don't want to lose your passwords, so you choose something you can remember. You only have a certain number of hours in a day, so you guard your time to ensure you can accomplish what you would like to get done.In the same way, Jesus instructs us to guard God's Word. We should treasure it. We should place it in areas where we won't forget about it, such as near our beds or on the home screens of our phones. We should learn it by heart so that it's with us wherever we go. We should make sure to keep certain times of our day and week free for it, such as Sunday mornings for the Divine Service, a weekly time for Bible Study, and a daily time for devotions. Are we blessed because we do these things? Well, yes and no. We aren't blessed because we have somehow proved to God how faithful we are; We are blessed because that Word that we treasure is full of the promises of Jesus for you. That Word IS Jesus.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 7, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 3 - Psalm 25:1-2, 17-18, 20; antiphon: Psalm 25:15-16Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:1-29; Mark 8:22-38“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 25:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O Lord, to You I lift up my soul. I trust in You. Yes, my life rests on You, for You are the unshakable foundation. That's what my Baptism tells me. I have been put into You, my Mighty Fortress. Sin, Death, and Satan can't crush and hush me for You have overcome these enemies by Your bleeding, dying, third-day rising. I believe this, O Lord, and yet I struggle. There are days I look around and my eyes get the best of me. It can look like Sin, Death, and Satan are in charge. O Lord, I know this is not true. You are Lord over all! Therefore, help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Open the eyes of my heart to see You as my deliverer. I'm helpless to save myself, after all, but I am not hopeless. You are my hope. This is not wishful thinking but a sure confidence that You will come through for me in Your way and Your time.  I feel alone some days, but Your promise is that You are with me always. Your promises can't fail. They will never lead me astray. You tell the truth, for You are the Truth. There's no reason, therefore, for me to ignore what I'm going through or try to cover it up with a smiley face. I can be honest since nothing can surprise You. There are troubles in my life that I can't get myself out of. Troubles that I am responsible for and those that have been brought into my life by others. These troubles teach me that I'm not in control. I ask You to consider all the sufferings and troubles I have, and please forgive me. Cover my sins with Your righteousness. Cleanse me with Your blood. Every part of my life, You have redeemed with Your blood, and I will on the Last Day get to see how You used it all for my good. I won't be able to stop smiling!       Now I wait. It's not always easy with all the pains and problems in this life. So please, Lord, guard my heart from the attacks of Satan, who wants me to give in, give up, and give out. The Cross is my reminder that You can and will deliver me from all my fears and tears. You did not stay dead but rose on Easter Morning, securing for me my own Easter Morning on the Last Day! Because You are my refuge, I can't be shaken. Nothing and no one can destroy me. I trust in You and will not be put to shame. O Lord, to You I lift up my soul.     In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. While I am a pilgrim here, Let Thy love my spirit cheer; As my guide, my guard, my friend, Lead me to my journey's end. (LSB 779:5)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 6, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-21Daily Lectionary: Genesis 24:32-52, 61-67; Genesis 25:1-26:35; Mark 8:1-21“And his disciples answered him, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?'” (Mark 8:4)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.We can be so forgetful when it comes to our Lord's compassion towards us, can't we? We're not alone! What good company we have with the disciples! They got forgetful, too. Only two chapters earlier, the Lord fed five thousand men plus women and children using five loaves and two fish. Now in Mark 8, the disciples are faced with four thousand growling stomachs. No McDonald's or Applebee's in sight! Whatever shall they do? Jesus gives them the situation. “‘I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.' And his disciples answered him, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?'” (Mark 8:2-4) They were looking at the One who could and would feed these folks, but they got tripped up by the bigness of their need and fear.We, like the disciples, so often look at the bigness of our needs and fears and forget that there's One who is bigger than our needs and fears! That One is Jesus, of course. Let's fix our eyes on Him. His generosity knows no bounds! His compassion is for all! For you! For me! Compassion for Jesus is not just a feeling! Whenever Jesus has compassion in His Ministry, He does! He provides! He acts! His compassion produces action. We see His compassion for a scared-and-scarred World when He died for it. He gave everything He had on the Cross for you and me—every drop of blood to have us as His own. We belong to Him. Baptized in His Name, we lack nothing! More forgiveness than sin! More peace than anxiety! More life than death! Because Jesus has taken care of our biggie-salvation-needs, He'll take care of our smaller, everyday needs as well. We're reminded of this every time we eat and drink His Body and Blood. The Lord's Supper fixes our eyes on the One who is compassionate towards us, feeding us food that fills us with His unending life. With the Lord, we lack nothing here in time and there in eternity. He will provide what we need for this body and life. Compassion is who He is and what He does for you.    In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead, Ev'ry day and hour supplying All my need. (LSB 729:4)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 5, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: Eighth CommandmentDaily Lectionary: Genesis 24:1-31; Mark 7:24-37“We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.” (Luther's meaning for the Eighth Commandment)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Eighth Commandment! Thanks be to God for this commandment and Luther's explanation! After all, the tongue can be so destructive. It's teeny-tiny and yet can go scorched earth on a person's life, as James reminds us: “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6) Every one of us has had those moments when we stayed silent as gossip was shared, when we were delighted to share the faults and failures of others, when we embellished a story to make ourselves look better, or when we lied about someone to turn people against them. We have used our tongues as a wrecking ball. Reputations turned into rubble. Friendships fractured. Relationships ruined.  Repent! All of us! Return to the Lord, for He is gracious and merciful! Go to His called and ordained man who uses his tongue to speak that passion-purchased pardon into our ears! “You are forgiven all for Jesus' sake!” Those words cover all the bad our tongues have done. What Good News that Christ only speaks well of you and me! Forgives us all sins! Defends us from every accusation from Slithery Serpent Satan! Yes, Jesus is no adversary like Satan but our Advocate! Before the Father, He continually pleads for us, showing the Father the very wounds that won peace! Peace with God! Peace with one another! Having been forgiven, we now strive to live at peace with all. Yes, our tongues have been set free to defend our neighbor, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way. We now have the joy of imitating Jesus, who is our Advocate. Keep your eyes open every day for those opportunities to be an advocate to and for your neighbor. And when you sin with your tongue, what joy to hear once again Christ's forgiveness from the lips of your pastor.      In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Bear no false witness nor defame Your neighbor nor destroy his name, But view him in the kindest way; Speak truth in all that you say.” Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:9)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 4, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 7:1-23Daily Lectionary: Genesis 22:1-19; Mark 7:1-23“And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.'” (Mark 7:20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The topic of food can get complicated these days with all of the diets out there: keto, carnivore, Mediterranean, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. In Jesus' day, food was a controversial topic. Lines were drawn in the sand. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. There was a food fight going on, so to speak. Certain foods were deemed “clean” and therefore okay to consume, while other foods were considered defiled and dirtied, leaving a person ritually unclean and unable to worship at the Temple. Jesus stops the food fight when He says, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (Mark 7:14b-15) The disciples have a tough time with this. It's not what their Jewish mothers taught them. They would've been well aware of the clean/unclean categories. Jesus rocks their world when He tells them that food can't defile anyone. Every bite passes the heart and is expelled. Jesus declares all foods clean! So then what makes a person defiled and dirty?Food isn't the real problem since the heart of the problem is the human heart! And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23) No one gets away guilt-free from that list! Ouch! Leaves us all realizing that we have had thoughts, words, and actions that defile and dirty us. We're all in the same boat. We confess together, “I, a poor, miserable sinner!” Dirty and defiled, we deserve damnation! Thanks be to God, we get what we don't deserve! Grace upon grace! Jesus is the One who defiles and dirties Himself! He touches the unclean leper, lifts up the unclean dead, eats and drinks with unclean sinners and tax collectors. He takes upon Himself the dirt and defilement that damns! He bears our sins to die our death! Yes, He cries out those words of abandonment that we'll never have to speak: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). The Temple curtain is torn from top to bottom. The way to the Father is open to all through that godforsaken death on Good Friday. His blood cleanses us from all sin. “Take, drink, this is My blood shed for you for the forgiveness of all your sins.” There is food that sprinkles our hearts clean. Take, drink!       In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness; Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood; Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace: Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God. (LSB 631:5)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 3, 2026Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 or Romans 5:1-5Daily Lectionary: Genesis 21:1-21; Mark 6:35-56“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Through! What a tiny preposition, but that preposition is Good News for you! Paul states that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1b) Peace with God is not through our brains and brawn, our achievements and accomplishments, our degrees and pedigrees, likes and looks. Peace with God is not even through how good we are as Lutherans or how good we have Luther's Small Catechism memorized. Although it's not a bad idea to store those words in your heart. Peace with God is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Period. No one or nothing else. The Jesus who lived the perfect life we couldn't live. The Jesus who died the godforsaken death we deserved to die. The Jesus who was raised for our justification. Yes, you are justified–declared enough–all for Jesus' sake! This is Good News that's out of this World for everyone in this World! We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! There's more! Always more with the Good News! It's no trickle of Good News but an endless gushing fountain! Paul tells us that “through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” (Romans 5:2a) His grace and not our grit got us into God's House! What undeserved kindness and favor from God our heavenly Father! You need not doubt what God thinks of you. By faith in Jesus, you stand in God's House as His beloved Child. Your Baptism assures you of this. Paul encourages us to remain in the Father's House, a house that has grace as the floor, ceiling, and walls. In this grace place, “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2b) We look forward to our glorious resurrection on the Last Day when everything wrong will be made right, beautiful, true, and good!  As we wait with Holy Spirit-ed confidence for the great-and-glorious Last Day, there will be pressures. You've felt them before, haven't you? Paul tells us that we get to rejoice in the pressures of life because they produce endurance, that is, a hunger and thirst for God's grace to sustain and shelter us 24/7. And endurance produces character, that is, we don't despair over the pressures, but depend on God, who is leading us by the hand through the pressures into Paradise. And character produces hope; that is, no matter what our eyes see, we know we will outlast the pressures, all because of that little preposition “though”! Through our Lord Jesus Christ! Yes, through Jesus, we have peace with God today, tomorrow, and forevermore!   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In God, my faithful God, I trust when dark my road; Great woes may overtake me, Yet He will not forsake me. My troubles He can alter; His hand lets nothing falter. (LSB 745:1)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 2, 2026Today's Reading: Genesis 32:22-32Daily Lectionary: Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 18:16-20:18; Mark 6:14-34“Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.' But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.'” (Genesis 32:26) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What a wrestling match in Genesis 32! Not the one we would expect. Wasn't the Lord on Jacob's side? Yes, but here it appeared that the Lord was Jacob's adversary. Not exactly what Jacob probably wanted. I mean, his life was already in deadly danger. Why? Well, you may remember when Jacob cut a deal with Esau, his older brother. Esau's birthright for a bowl of vegetable stew. And then, Jacob deceived his dad to get Esau's blessing. Not a happy camper! Filled with rage, Esau threatened to murder his baby brother. A family feud was in process. Jacob didn't want it to escalate to bloodshed! He desired his family to be safe and sound, so he made plans that could possibly cool off Esau's jets. Jacob prayed to the Lord and then sent his family ahead to Esau with loads of goodies.  Jacob, now alone, found himself wrestling all night. No match against a mere man but against the Lord Himself! Throughout the struggle, Jacob had quite the grip. The Lord even touched his hip and put it out of socket, but Jacob refused to tap out. At daybreak, the Lord said, “Let go!” “Not until you bless me,” Jacob yelled! The Lord came through for Jacob as He promised! He gave Jacob the new name “Israel,” which means “he who wrestles with God.” And then, the Lord blessed him. Jacob called the place “Penuel,” which refers to seeing the Lord's face. This wrestler wouldn't share his name even though Jacob wanted that. The name would be shared, though, many years later, by the angel Gabriel with the virgin Mary and her guardian Joseph. Yes, the One that Jacob wrestled with was the One that would come from Jacob's family tree and take down Sin, Death, and Satan for you and me.  We can feel like we're in a wrestling match with the Lord. It can look like God is against us as we get bumps and bruises from the rough and tumble of life. Some days we just limp along. Suffering and sickness tucker us out. Temptations wear us down. Even though it can seem like we're all alone, we're not! Jacob is an example for us. Hold onto the Lord's promises day after day until we see him face-to-face in the resurrection. We will! All of God's promises have their “yes” in Jesus! No promise will ever be broken by the One who has broken the powers of Sin, Death, and Satan by His wrestling match at Golgotha for us. Because Jesus has conquered, we will, too! It's His promise, and His grip on us won't slip. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won; And although the way be cheerless, We will follow calm and fearless, Guide us by Thy hand To our fatherland. (LSB 718:1)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.We wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

March 1, 2026Today's Reading: Matthew 15:21-28Daily Lectionary: Genesis 16:1-9, 15-17:22; Mark 6:1-13“And [Jesus] answered, ‘It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.'” (Matthew 15:26)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus calls her what?!? A dog! What many Jews labeled the Canaanites! Looks like a roadblock! A wall! This mommy doesn't slink away, though, with her tail between her legs. Not defeated. What appears to be a pure “NO”, she hears as a “NO” that has a “YES” inside. A hidden “YES”! “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” (Matthew 15:27) “Ain't nothing but a hound dog!”Fine with her because even the dogs are family! Canaanites are part of Jesus' family tree. Rahab! Tamar! Ruth! Jew AND Gentile included in Jesus' Salvation Mission from day one! She believes that. Jesus is for her, even when everything says otherwise. She won't let Him go until she's proven right. And she is! She goes on her journey back home with His “for you” Word in her pocket! “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” (Matthew 15:28) Jesus doesn't disappoint! Brings her beyond the wall, and she returns home not the same. Stretched! Surprised! Severed! Jesus stretched her to the breaking point, so she finds help and hope in Him alone. Jesus surprised her with growth, enlarging her heart to wait on Him alone. Jesus severed her from all attachments and allegiances that she feared, loved, and trusted, so He became her God and Lord alone! She expects walls ahead, but she can trust Jesus at every wall. He'll bring her through.  We'll have those moments where it's like we're on the autobahn of faith—cruising along and making the lights. Getting to our destinations. Sure, a few hiccups, but nothing horrible. Then one day, we slam the brakes. We only see red. Stopped! Stuck! What a standstill! All our plans thrown out the window. A wall before us. Can't get around it, over it, under it. What a wall! The wall comes in many shapes and sizes. Parents separate! Betrayed by friends! Shattered dreams! Failed a class! Cut from the team! A beloved family member dies! When we run up against the wall, we're confused. “Jesus loves me this I know!”Really? Jesus doesn't seem warm and friendly. No matter the wall, though, we cling to Jesus like this mommy. We trust Him at the wall. After all, on the Cross, He confronted all the walls we could ever run up against. And on Easter, He walked out of the Grave. Alive and well! The way through has been paved and paid! The journey of faith has begun, and Jesus will bring us through every wall. Not the same either. And certainly not alone. We're surrounded by one another. And Jesus leads the way. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord, To trust Your grace for courage to endure, To rest our souls in Your supporting love, And find our hope within Your mercy sure. (LSB 764:5)Rev. Aaron Schian is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Finally Free: Three Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Sonby Bryan WolfmuellerWe wander through life looking for freedom, only to realize we have listened to the devil's call to serve our selves, our pleasures, and our lusts. Instead of freedom we find ourselves enslaved to sin. We wonder if we have sinned too often, too deep to ever be welcomed back to the Father's home, back into His loving embrace. Have we lost our inheritance as children of God?In this short book, author Bryan Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Wolfmueller proclaims the freedom-giving Gospel that through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, our place in the Father's house is secure, and forgiveness and welcome are ours in His outstretched arms. Fully Free, now available from CPH.

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Pr. Wolfmueller on Closed Communion On the Demons Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller’s YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological AcademyThe post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 2/23/26 (0542) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller gives today's sermonette based on John 6:1-21. Hear a guest pastor give a short sermonette based on the day's Daily Lectionary New Testament text during Morning and Evening Prayer. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Has American Christianity Failed?The post The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Part 3 – Bryan Wolfmueller, 1/22/26 (0221) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

On this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Elizabeth Pittman is joined by theologian, author, and podcast host Bryan Wolfmueller to discuss his newest book with CPH, Finally Free: Three Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In this short book, Wolfmueller digs into the popular parable of the Prodigal Son to bring hope and aid to our hurting conscience. Get the book at cph.org/finallyfree. Show NotesIn the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus tells a story most of us know by heart. Yet beneath its familiarity, He exposes three kinds of bondage that touch every human heart: the pull to do whatever we want, the fear that we've sinned too much to be welcomed back, and the quiet pride that trusts in our own goodness. In this episode, author Bryan Wolfmueller talks about his book Finally Free: Three Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son and explores how Jesus uses this beloved parable to reveal our slavery to sin and, more importantly, the freedom He gives through His suffering, death, and resurrection. QuestionsThe parable of the prodigal son is one of the most familiar stories in Scripture. What made you willing to take the risk of writing an entire book on such a well-known text? In Luke 15, Jesus tells three lost-and-found parables in a row. How does the presence of the older brother change the pattern of “lost, found, joy” in the third parable?You argue that the older brother is not a side character but the entire point of the parable. Why do we so often overlook him, and what do we miss when we do?The first slavery you discuss is “Belly Slaves” What is this and how does the younger son illustrate it? Why is this slavery so appealing? How does the younger son illustrate our enslavement to pleasure, desire, and self-rule—and why is that slavery so appealing?What happens when an entire culture succumbs to belly slavery?You say despair, the second slavery, is a theological slavery. Tell us about this.You write that the third slavery, pride, is a two-fold slavery. What do you mean by this?You write that each of us has “a little Pharisee living in our hearts.” What are some subtle ways this Pharisee shows up in our church life and personal faith?About the GuestPastor Bryan Wolfmueller is the pastor at St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX.  Prior to that he was the pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO since 2005. He is the co-host of Table Talk Radio, the world's most famous Lutheran theological game show. Bryan has a new hobby every day, but he always comes back to reading about Law and Gospel. Bryan lives in Round Rock, TX with his wife Keri and four children.

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Has American Christianity Failed?The post The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Part 2 – Bryan Wolfmueller, 1/16/26 (0162) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Has American Christianity Failed?The post The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Part 1 – Bryan Wolfmueller, 1/9/26 (0093) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller’s YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed?The post New Year's Resolutions – Bryan Wolfmueller, 1/1/26 (0011, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Has American Christianity Failed?The post The Christmas Hymn, “Silent Night” – Bryan Wolfmueller, 12/24/25 (3581) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX How to Resist the Devil Has American Christianity Failed?The post How to Resist the Devil – Bryan Wolfmueller, 12/11/25 (3453) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

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Martin Luther is the man who started the Reformation with his 95 Theses. Many people know his story of being hidden away in a castle after the Catholic Church put out a warrant for his death. But a less known part of his story is what brought him out of hiding from that castle. This sermon was the reason he left hiding. Special thanks to Bryan Wolfmueller for reading this episode of Revived Thoughts!Join Revived Studios on Patreon for more!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/revived-thoughts6762/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 10/10/25 (2833) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 10/3/25 (2761) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 8/21/25 (2332) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Myths About Lutheranism: Lutherans Teach Once Baptized, Always Saved & Lutherans Teach Baptism Saves, Not Faith – Bryan Wolfmueller, 8/5/23 (2172, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Conspiracy Theories – Bryan Wolfmueller, 7/22/25 (2031) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Myths About Lutheranism: Lutherans Are Really Roman Catholic – Bryan Wolfmueller, 7/21/25 (2022, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Myths About Lutheranism: Lutherans Don't Teach About Good Works – Bryan Wolfmueller, 7/17/25 (1982, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 7/11/25 (1921) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Today's sermonette based on Acts 15:6-21 is given by Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller. This is a rebroadcast from July 11, 2017. Hear a guest pastor give a short sermonette based on the day's Daily Lectionary New Testament text during Morning and Evening Prayer. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

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In judgment against Israel and in mockery of Israel's monarchs, the LORD sends Elijah to Sidon, Jezebel's homeland. There, the LORD miraculously provides for His prophet through a poor widow who comes to faith in the one true God. When death strikes the widow's son, her regret comes to the surface, but Elijah quickly acts. Through the prophet, the LORD brings the child to life again, showing that the word of the LORD is true. This text is brought to fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ, not only when He helps a mother from this same region, but finally when He rises from the dead to life that has no end.  Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor at St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Kings 17:8-24.  To learn more about St. Paul Lutheran, visit  www.stpaulaustin.org. "A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 5/15/25 (1351) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 5/14/25 (1342) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Myths About Lutheranism: Lutherans Teach Once Baptized, Always Saved & Lutherans Teach Baptism Saves, Not Faith – Bryan Wolfmueller, 3/26/25 (0853) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Myths About Lutheranism: Lutherans Are Illogical – Bryan Wolfmueller, 3/6/25 (0653) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, author, “Has American Christianity Failed?” Pastor Brian Kachelmeier, author, “Reading Isaiah with Luther” Has American Christianity Failed? Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Reading Isaiah with Luther Redeemer Theological Academy The post Your Unanswered Bible Questions – Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller & Pr. Brian Kachelmeier, 2/25/25 (0572) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, TX Pr. Wolfmueller's YouTube Channel Has American Christianity Failed? The post Myths About Lutheranism: Lutherans Don't Teach About Good Works – Bryan Wolfmueller, 2/14/24 (0451) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

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